This year’s summer meeting in the Danish Cardiovascular Academy gave many young researchers the opportunity to present their work. The possibility of a reward for best oral and poster presentation gave additional motivation. Finally, a lifetime achievement award was established.

2021.06.23 | Lene Halgaard

Award winners: Christian Stæhr, Zarmiga Karunanithi, Daniel Fyenbo & Jennifer van der Horst

The Danish Cardiovascular summer meeting was held in southern Denmark 6^th -8^th of June. More than 40 talks provided inspiration to the cardiovascular research field. Themes varied from advanced methods and technologies to inherited heart diseases, new biobank, vascular function, and cardiac conduction.

“I was impressed by the many excellent presentations and the high quality of both oral and poster presentations. It was fantastic to witness how much activity there is amongst young researchers in Denmark, and I foresee a very bright future for cardiovascular research in Denmark,” says Christian Aalkjær, Executive Managing Director, Danish Cardiovascular Academy.

PhD students presented their work

Several PhD students presented their projects at the meeting both orally and at a poster session. With the summer finally having reached Denmark, the poster session was held outside next to Sandbjerg Lake.

”I presented a poster about cardiac abnormalities associated with mutation in the sodium-potassium ATPase. I was happy to get this chance to disseminate my results in a short and comprehensive matter,” says Christian Stæhr, PhD student, Aarhus University.

An additional motivation for composing a good presentation was the DCAcademy awards rewarding best oral and poster presentations.

“I was of course honoured to receive the award for best poster presentation. The poster prize was a travel grant that I will use for a research stay at Boston University, USA, during the summer 2021,” says Christian Stæhr, PhD student, Aarhus University.

Professor Emeritus Michael Mulvany received a lifetime achievement award

For a long and impressive career another award was established. For the first time a DCAcademy Lifetime Achievement Award was given.  Professor Emeritus at Aarhus University, Michael Mulvany was the first recipient. He received this award for his dedicated work within small arteries and hypertension. The DCAcademy stressed that especially his development of the myograph which allows the examination of small vessels, has had a great impact on vascular research in laboratories around the world.

“I am very happy to receive this award as a recognition of the work that so many people in the Faculty have been engaged in over the past 50 years. Thanks to their enthusiasm, and the support received from international colleagues, the work has contributed to a better understanding of the cardiovascular system and the control of blood pressure,” says Michael Mulvany, Professor Emeritus, Aarhus University.

The sun kept shining at the summer meeting and participants were very satisfied with the academic level and atmosphere for the event. “There is no doubt that we will be using the positive experiences this year for the preparations of coming summer meetings,” concludes Christian Aalkjær, Executive Managing Director, Danish Cardiovascular Academy.